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Homemade Probiotic Toothpaste
June 19, 2014
Most of us were raised to believe that tooth decay and cavities were pretty much our fault because we had eaten too much candy and hadn’t brushed our teeth well enough. Plus, they were irreversible.
Wrong (mostly)! More and more evidence suggests that only the eating candy part is actually true.
Observations of many native populations who ate traditional diets prior to the introduction of refined sugars and refined flour showed they suffered virtually no tooth decay — even when their teeth were ground down from eating gritty foods, despite never brushing their teeth or seeing a dentist (No, we are not suggesting you emulate this; brushing your teeth is one of the most effective mainstream ways to help protect your teeth from the physical effects of eating a less-than-optimal diet).
Diet, Bacteria & Dental Health
A recent scientific study shed some light on why native populations didn’t suffer from tooth decay: People in the study who switched to a diet low in sugar, refined carbohydrates and phytic acid, and high in minerals (calcium, magnesium and phosphorus) and fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) both reduced their risk of developing tooth decay and actually reversed decay that had been present(1). Yes, teeth CAN heal.
Let’s talk a little more about what’s going on in your mouth — especially that slick, slimy coating that grows all over your teeth, tongue and gums. This coating is a “biofilm,” or a tough layer of living bacteria, in which the individual bacterium cling tightly to each other and to surfaces, making them very, very hard to dislodge. Biofilm is also called plaque. But “biofilm” may be a better term, as it reminds us it is a living film of bacteria: bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease, and that are ready to take advantage of teeth and gums made vulnerable by less-than-optimal nutrition, inflammation and stress.
Brushing with a store-bought toothpaste (please avoid any brands that contain triclosan), or our favorite Homemade Baking Soda Toothpaste, will help keep that nasty biofilm at bay for a few hours. But it may not be able to banish the sticky film completely (if you have yucky, slimy, morning breath after brushing last thing before bed, you’ve got a biofilm problem). A biofilm is a signal that the ecosystem in your mouth is out of whack — in other words, you have lots of disease- and decay-causing bacteria and not enough beneficial bacteria.
Trying to kill off every living bacterium in your mouth is not the answer. After generations of millions of people dutifully swished antibacterial mouthwashes around twice a day — and still suffered from tooth decay and gum disease — we are pretty sure that attempting to kill off all the bacteria, bad and good, in your mouth doesn’t work. And, even if you could do it, a mouth with no bacteria would be the perfect place for any new bacteria that arrived, good or bad, to reproduce wildly — which is definitely not a good situation.
What IS the answer, then?
The Benefits of Probiotic Toothpaste
You are probably wondering what else you can do, especially if you already have tooth decay or gum disease. Changing your diet is critical to dental health, but you may not be ready to completely give up on refined foods (or you ate them in the past, leaving your teeth vulnerable to decay) and brushing hasn’t helped enough.
So how about trying something completely different?
How about brushing with a totally different kind of toothpaste: probiotic toothpaste. Brushing with probiotic toothpaste can help make your mouth a healthier place by not only temporarily dislodging bad bacteria, but also actually adding GOOD bacteria (probiotics) to displace the decay- and disease-causing ones!
Studies increasingly support probiotic toothpaste as an effective way to deliver those good bacteria to where they will do the most good, better than a probiotic rinse (2). Other studies show that routine brushing with a probiotic toothpaste for even a few weeks can help decrease the levels of disease- and bad-breath-causing bacteria in your mouth, reduce plaque/biofilm buildup, and ease gum inflammation (3, 4).
So what are you waiting for? Make up a batch of homemade probiotic toothpaste and turn your toothbrush into a magic wand!
Homemade Probiotic Toothpaste
A blend of coconut oil, bentonite clay powder, probiotics and prebiotics forms the foundation of this homemade probiotic toothpaste recipe. Bentonite clay powder looks off-white or pale gray in the jar but turns a more intense brownish-gray when mixed with coconut oil. This is normal. Your probiotic toothpaste isn’t going to win any beauty contests, but your mouth will love it!
Be sure to stir until completely blended. It will be a bit runny at first, but it will set up as it cools. I recommend making smaller batches more frequently to ensure freshness.
Scoop the completed paste into a small glass jar with a lid (use a jar rather than a tube because coconut oil liquifies at 76°F and the paste will get soft, or even runny, at warm room temperatures and very firm at cool room temperatures (even low 60s), making it hard to squeeze out of a tube).
Store at room temperature.
Tips:
- Adding more clay helps keep your paste firmer in warm weather; adding less clay makes it less firm, which makes dispensing it easier in the winter if your house is cool.
- Probiotics are living beneficial bacteria; for this recipe, pick one that can be stored at room temperature.
- Prebiotics are natural fiber compounds that boost the activity of probiotic bacteria.
- Bentonite clay tastes, well, mild and clay-like. It isn’t unpleasant, but adding xylitol makes the paste sweeter, which kids may find more acceptable.
- Pleasantly-flavored essential oils help make the paste more palatable and leave a nice aftertaste.
How to Use Your Probiotic Homemade Toothpaste:
Using a small spoon or knife, scoop about a ½ teaspoon of probiotic toothpaste onto your brush (pressing your brush into the paste works, too, but make sure each person in the family has his or her own jar if you do this). Give your teeth — and all the other surfaces in your mouth — a good brushing. The paste will liquefy almost immediately when put into your mouth, so there is no need to add water. When you are done brushing, swish the liquid around, forcing it through the gaps between your teeth. This helps to get the probiotics into all the nooks and crannies your brush can’t reach. Then spit out the remainder and rinse with water. Ahhhhh….
Homemade Probiotic Toothpaste
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1–2 tablespoons bentonite clay
- 1 capsules of organic probiotics
- 1 capsule of FOS (fructooligosaccharides) or other inulin-type prebiotic
- up to 1/2 tablespoon xylitol powder (optional)
- up to 10 drops of peppermint essential oil or other essential oil
- small jar
Directions:
- Place coconut oil container in a bowl of hot water to liquefy some of it (depending on your room temperature, this may take up to 15 minutes).
- Measure all ingredients into a small bowl.
- Open capsules by grabbing the ends with the tips of your fingers while holding them over the bowl and gently pulling and twisting. Once open, dump the powder into the bowl.
- Stir until completely blended. It will be a bit runny, but it will set up as it cools.
- Scoop the paste into a small glass jar with a lid.
- Store at room temperature.
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I’ve read on other blogs that in using bentonite clay you shouldn’t use a metal spoon to mix up any ingredients because the clay would then absorb the metal and diminish the benefits of the clay. Do you agree with that?
The label on the recommended bentonite clay has a warning on trace amounts of lead in the clay which is known to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm. Do you take this into account before consumption? What’s your take on the warning on the label?
These are trace amounts that are naturally occurring in the soil. I wouldn’t be concerned with them
Doas floride contained in this recipe ?!
No
Is this safe for children?
I haven’t had any patients report any issues but would consult with your dentist
Someone mentioned that clay should be spaced out from supplements and probiotics. Couldn’t the clay ruin the effects of the probiotic?
What are the exact CFU counts in the Live Probiotic…a propriatary blend
Is vague…..most bacteria are naturally antagonistic, and battle each other inside the capsule causing die off
How is potency guaranteed if not shipped cold
Research has shown Sachromyces Boulardi as a yeast producer
Why use FOS which is a sugar and can feed both good and bad bacteria
Why are pourous plastic bottles used…..glass would protect bacteria from light, heat , and moisture
Wouldn’t the peppermint oil largely kill the probiotic bacteria in the mixture?
No it doesn’t
Love this recipe. Thank you Dr. Axe
would this recipe be safe for dogs?
I’m not sure.
Hello Dr. Axe,
I was curious; I currently use Amazing Paste lemon flavor, can I sub the peppermint with the lemon in equal amounts?
I would use 5 drops in the recipe to start and see how your teeth do
does the probiotic help with the bad bacteria that cause bad beath and tooth decay?
It can
What is bentonite clay? Where do u get it? & do i have to get a specific type of probiotic capaules? Thx so much for all of your help! Blessings!!
Check this out: https://draxe.com/nutrition/10-bentonite-clay-benefits-uses/
You can get the bentonite clay here: http://amzn.to/1swGqpF
And you can use whatever probiotic capsules you have.
Is Benzonite Clay ok to use if you have metal fillings?
Yes, it should be fine
Hi Dr Axe.
I am also interested in which Essential Oils to use, especially with regards to Peppermint. I have read a few times to be careful with Peppermint and children. Is this true?
Many thanks Sam
Please email me this at [email protected]
What is that toothbrush on the picture? Thanks
You can find them here: http://amzn.to/1wF5FxF
i use water kefir grain to make my own probiotics. could i use that to replace probiotic from a capsule? it is like a mildly sour carbonated drink.
Typically the probiotic strains you use in kefir are different than those in a probiotic supplement
I don’t understand the concern about coconut oil down the drain. I cook with it, use it as a facial cleanser and moisturizer. I I use it is my smoothies, food, dog food, etc. I have been doing oil pulling for years and have never had a problem. Maybe just running some hot water down the drain will help…….
I would like to try the toothpaste..
I have just been wondering about homemade toothpaste, then I found this. Thank you, Dr. Axe.
i would love to know which Brand of EO; you use? Is there a difference in ‘Internal use’ and ‘topical use’ Brands? Thanks, Barbara
Please email me at [email protected] for my specific recommendations
Where do you buy the empty tubes to fill with homemade toothpaste?
Click on the ingredient in the recipe and it will take you to where you can get it
I just purchased Bentonite Clay (Redmond brand) and it says “this product contains trace amounts of clay”. Is this normal?
Sorry I meant “trace amounts of lead”
Yes, it is naturally occurring in the soil and in very small amounts. I wouldn’t be concerned.
where can you buy the ingredients?
Click on the ingredients in the recipe and they will take to where I get mine from
Soon I will be interested in the tooth paste……
I use to chew tobacco and now I have quit but there are lot of red stains on my teeth which I want to remove how do I do tat.
Check out these tips: https://draxe.com/beauty/6-ways-to-naturally-whiten-your-teeth/
I am having trouble clarifying what types of essential oils to use. Do I use regular oils ie: now brand or baking edible essential oils. Please clarify or recommend a brand.
Please email me at [email protected] and I’ll let you know what brand I personally recommend and clarify consuming them orally as well!
Why couldn’t you just post your response here for everyone to see?
Because I’ve had several companies start massive debates online that I have to monitor
Do you need to refrigerate the toothpaste because of the probiotics?
If using the Axe naturals probiotics or other heat resistant probiotics, then no you don’t have to.
You should never spit coconut oil down any drain. I could clog the drain from build up if it is cold outside. I spit mine in a paper towel and throw in the trash.
I brush with bentonite clay (a different recipe), and I like it. Just beware, I understand that coconut oil can leave an oily residue in your sink